Weight Loss Dilemma

Hey everyone!

i currently weigh 160lbs and I am 5'6. About a month ago I went for a routine checkup at the doctor's office and i told him about my weight loss problems. At the time of the checkup i weighed 162lbs and i told me doctor that i was trying to lose about 20lbs. He told me that losing that much weight would be way to much, and if anything i should only lose about 10-12lbs. i think that is a load of crap. Losing 10- 12lbs would put my BMI as average but i don't think it would be enough.

My mother is constantly telling me that i shouldn't lose anymore weight (used to be 178-180+) and that i will begin to look emaciated but i don't understand. I weigh 160lbs that is alot for 20 yr old female. I think a good weight for me would be 136-145.

So basically the question is: Should i lose only 10-12lbs to make my mum happy Or lose the 20-25lbs i know i want to lose in order to finally be happy about this body? Also, do you think my doctor's suggestion was correct?

Thanks!

I think I'm in the same boat as you.  Same height and weight.  People tell me that my goal of 135 is too small.  I'm going to loose another 10 lbs and see what I think.  I can't believe that just another 5 lbs is enough.  As long as I'm healthy and eating right then what's the problem?  Mum would be happy to see you happy!  I do understand their concern.  I just wouldn't discuss my weight with anyone that has a negative opinion about what my weight should be.

Your doctor is there is take care of your health.  Being skinny is not the same as being healthy.  As long as your goal is still in a healthy range, that is ok, but your doctor is probably right that you don't need to lose that much to be healthy.  It isn't necessary, but it isn't necessarily bag either.  Make sure you know your BMI and what healthy really is.

I have the exact same stats as you, im 20 5'6" female, and started my diet at 160.  I have lost 30 pounds since then and I am by no means emaciated or skinny at all.  A healthy weight range for our height is like 115-150 from what I have gathered from various sources, so your goal of 136-145 is right in the middle of there and I would say thats great!

Your doctor was probably just telling you 10-12 because thats what it would take to get into the "healthy" range and doctors really shouldnt be promoting young women to lose more weight than they have to to be healthy, you get what im saying right?

As for your mom, my mom says the same types of things.  Mothers can be like that. idk I am sure she will be happy as long as you are happy and healthy.

I think your mom and doctor are mainly concerned about how you would go about losing 20 lbs. A crash diet or starving yourself to lose 20 lbs would be unhealthy even if your starting weight was much higher than it is. If you concentrate on eating healthy and incorporating more exercise into your daily routine then I dont think 140 is too low for you to still be healthy. Hope that helps...

Thanks for all of the replies.

I am planning on losing the weight by eating 1700-2000 calories and exercising 4-5x a week. I definitely won't be crash dieting- i have tried that kind of stuff in the past and it NEVER works (atleast not for me). I really just want to lose the weight slowly and concentrate on not gaining it all back. I aim to only lose about 2-4lbs a month which i know is extremly slow but i find when i try losing weight too fast i gain it all back. So i figure slow and steady wins the race.

I understand that my doctor merely wants to put me in a healthy BMI range which is below 25, but i honestly believe that I will look and feel my best at around 136-145. I think my mum believes i will look emaciated because she's never seen me not fat. She just can't imagine it- but i can and it looks great!

Why not aim to lose the 10-12 pounds then decide how you feel once you get there?  You'll have a better idea of whether or not you want to lose more weight once you see how you look and feel at 150. 

personally,

for 5'6..

i would say 10-20lbs,

but lose what makes you feel comfortable,

thats the point.

not for your mom, but for you.

:]

<3

good luck!